Method of extinguishing a fire, system for its realization and fire extinguishing generator used, in particular, in said system

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a method of extinguishing a fire of complex category with flame burning accompanying with smoldering of products of burning. Besides, the disclosure concerns a fire extinguishing system embodying the method and a fire extinguishing generator used, in particular, in the system. The method of extinguishing a fire provides introduction of a flow of flame inhibiting aerosol into the center of burning, introduction into the center of burning or to element contacting with the center of burning of a cooling agent having endothermic properties and maintenance of the temperature in the center of burning lower than the temperature of resuming of flame chain reactions in the center of burning, and introduction into the center of burning of additional portions of cooling agent, introduction of additional portions of cooling agent is being continued until the moment, when own maximal temperature of the center of burning will become lower than the temperature of resuming of burning reactions in the products of burning, that results in liquidation of smoldering of products of burning and in extinguishing the fire as a whole.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to technology of extinguishing a fire,particularly, to a method of extinguishing a fire, a fire extinguishingsystem embodying said method and a fire extinguishing generator.

BACKGROUND ART

Widely known are methods of extinguishing a fire providing introducinginto the zone of burning of fire extinguishing agents—liquid, gaseous,powders and flame inhibiting aerosols. Variety methods and means areknown for introducing said agents into the center of burning.

However, as the practice of struggle with fire of complex categoryshows, application of these fire suppressing agents separately does notresult in effective extinguishing. The reason for this is that, themajority of fires are of a complex physicochemical process, in course ofwhich, as a rule, there is occurring burning and oxidation of materialssubject to burning both in so-called gaseous phase accompanying withformation in the focus of burning of seen flame, and in so-calledcondensed phase, when the material subject to burning burns so to sayfrom inside, with destruction of its internal structure, but without aseen flame of burning. Thus it is necessary to emphasize, that suchfires are accompanied with long period of smoldering of products ofburning both during the flame burning and during the long period afterit A classical example of such burning is burning of cellulosecontaining materials such as wood, fabrics, cotton products and other,i.e. materials widely used in all branches of industry and transport.

A method of fire extinguishing is known from the European patent EP 0561 035 which comprises the following stages: preliminary arrangement inthe protected volume of a means for extinguishing a fire containing afirst reagent consisting from potassium perchlorate or potassium nitrateor mix thereof, and a second reagent containing epoxy resin; in case offire it is activated reaction between the first and the second reagentsin result of which they interact with formation of dry powder of firmparticles in suspended condition (aerosol), these particles havediameter not exceeding 1 micron; said aerosol is cooled, flame issuppressed with help of said aerosol, thus there is occurring chemicaland physical suppression of chain reactions of the flame in the centerof burning, which results in extinguishing of the fire. In other words,into the center of burning it is introduced a flow of flame inhibitingaerosol which concentration exceeds concentration sufficient forinterruption of chain reactions of the flame, Mat results in liquidationof the flame in the center of burning.

The above described method of extinguishing a fire is rather effectivefor burning materials or agents which are not accumulating thermalenergy in their internal structure. Such fires seldom occur in practice.The reason for this is in that, this method of fire extinguishing isbased on application of a flame inhibiting aerosol which interruptschain reactions of the flame just in the gas phase of the center ofburning, but, that is necessary to emphasize, does not influence thereactions proceeding in its condensed phase. It means, that withliquidation of flame burning, smoldering of products of burning willkeep on, in other words fire will proceed in most dangerous, latentform, at which the seen attributes of fire are not present, butprobability of sudden repeated ignition is rather high It is necessaryto emphasize that this process is accompanied by hidden accumulation ofthermal energy both as a result of smoldering of products of burning anddue to increase of concentration of products of burning in the center ofburning, e.g., because of falling half burned constructions in thecenter of burning or due to distribution of smoldering deep into theinitial material of burning. It results in gradual, sometimesimperceptible for human, increasing of temperature up to critical level,when flame ignition will be resumed. It is necessary to emphasize thatthis process is of uncontrolled spontaneous character, therefore it isvery dangerous in itself.

The same European patent EP 0 561 035 discloses a plurality ofgenerators for extinguishing a fire embodying the above described methodEach of said generators comprises a hollow case, a charge of flameinhibiting aerosol, placed in the hollow of said case at one of its facewalls, an initiating means for actuating the generator arranged in saidcharge and capable to receive starting command signals, a cooling meansof the flow of flame inhibiting aerosol, placed in said case of thegenerator and a cavity formed between said charge and said coolingmeans.

In this patent there are-described several embodiments of the coolingmeans of the flow of flame-inhibiting aerosol. For example, on FIGS. 1,4, 5, 6 and 7 this means is shown as a capacity with cooling liquid. Atcombustion of the charge-it is formed a flow of flame inhibiting aerosolthat is being exhausted from the generator, due to creation ofunderpressure in the cavity of the case it captures and atomizes in theflow particles of the cooling liquid, as it is shown on FIG. 1 and 4, oraerosol is bubbling in the cooling liquid, as it is shown on FIG. 5, 6a,7a, resulting in cooling of the aerosol flow.

It is necessary to accentuate, that temperature of the flow of the flameinhibiting aerosol before cooling is on the order of 1000° C.-1200° C.,and it is a precondition of physicochemical interaction of the aerosolflow with the cooling liquid, that results in dissolution of aerosolparticles in the cooling liquid and in evaporation of the coolingliquid, as well as in chemical transformation of the agents comprisingthe aerosol, e.g., potassium carbonates into hydrocarbonates. Thesefactors reduce concentration of aerosol firm particles in the flow, thatis released from the generator and leads to degradation of its firesuppressing activity. Thus, efficiency of the released flow of aerosoland the generator as a whole will be reduced. Similar processesoccurring when a cooling gas or a cooling powder is used instead ofcooling liquid, as it is shown on FIG. 3 and on FIG. 4.

Closest to the claimed generator is the fire extinguishing generatordisclosed in the description of the Russian Federation PatentApplication 94 002970, presented on FIG. 8 and containing a case; acavity formed in the case; a first face wall of the case; a secondfacewall of the case; a lateral wall of the case connected by its firstend face and its second end face with, correspondingly, the first facewall and the second face wall; the central partition formed in thecavity of the case and fixed on the edges on the case lateral wall; afirst chamber formed from the side of the first face wall and delimitedby the central partition, the first face wall and the lateral wall ofthe case; a second chamber formed on the side of the second face walland delimited by the central partition, the second face wall and thelateral wall of the case; a charge of the flame inhibiting aerosol,installed in the first chamber at the first face wall and intended forproducing of the flow of the flame inhibiting aerosol; a first emptycavity formed in the first chamber between the charge of the flameinhibiting aerosol and the central partition; an initiating means foractuating the generator placed in the charge of the flame inhibitingaerosol and capable to receive starting command signals; an additionalpartition installed in the second chamber and fixed by the edges on thelateral wall of the case; the second empty cavity formed in the secondchamber and delimited by the central partition, the additional partitionand the lateral wall; a third cavity formed in the second chamber anddelimited by the additional partition, the second face wall and thelateral wall of the case; a charge of fire suppressing agent placed inthe third cavity; a first set of channels formed in the centralpartition and intended for passing of the flow of the flame inhibitingaerosol from the first chamber into the second empty cavity; a secondset of channels formed in the additional partition and intended forpassing of the flow of the flame inhibiting aerosol from the secondempty cavity into the third cavity filled by said charge of the firesuppressing agent; a nozzle formed in the second face wall of the caseand intended for passing of the flow of the flame inhibiting aerosol andthe fire suppressing agent from the third cavity into said center ofburning.

In comparison with the generator described in the European Patent EP 0561 035, the generator disclosed in the Russian Patent Application 94002970 has that feature, that a fire suppressing powder is used as thefire suppressing component, concentration of which in the flowoutflowing from the generator with the lapse of time decreases andconcentration of the flame inhibiting aerosol proportionally increases,in result of this it is formed environment of the fire suppressingpowder atomized in the flame inhibiting aerosol. Environment of the firesuppressing powder atomized in the flame inhibiting aerosol allows toextinguish smoldering products of burning hat in comparison with thepure aerosol method of fire extinguishing, disclosed in the EuropeanPatent EP 0 561 035, expands sphere of application of such generators.

However, the practice of using of such generators and fire suppressingenvironment showed, that it is quite effective only for extinguishing ofsmaller centers of burning where there are present both gaseous andcondensed phases of burning of the burning products. It is speciallyeffective in case of absence of the gaseous phase of burning accompaniedby intensive convective flows of gaseous products of burning.

In case of large fires, fires of complex category, when there arepresent intensive convective flows, it occurs intensive carrying away ofthe powdery fire suppressing agent from the surface of burning which hasnot reached it. It is specially characteristically for the first stageof feeding into the center of burning of the fire suppressing powder,when its concentration is maximal. Besides, a drawback of the describedgenerator is interaction of the flame inhibiting flow of aerosol havingtemperature 1000° C.-1200° C. with the fire suppressing powder. In factit occurs partial decomposition and sintering of the fire suppressingpowder, that results in loss of its efficiency, in decreasing ofeffective amount of the fire suppressing powder reached the center ofburning, in other words, it occurs its partial deactivation.Simultaneously it also occurs loss of the aerosol, as the thermaldecomposition of the fire suppressing powder is accompanied by formationof a liquid-viscous consistence in it capable to catch firm particles ofaerosol from the flow. The initial precondition of all these drawbacksis high temperature of the flame inhibiting flow of aerosol which isdeveloped in result of ignition and subsequent burning of the chargegenerating the flame inhibiting aerosol.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is creation of a method ofextinguishing a fire, application of which would allow effectively andin short time to extinguish fires of a complex category characterized bypresence in the center of the fire of a gaseous phase, accompanied byformation of intensive convective flows of gas and a condensed phase ofburning accompanied by presence of smoldering processes in products ofburning.

Another object of the present invention is creations of a fireextinguishing system embodying the above mentioned method

Still another object of the present invention is creation of a fireextinguishing generator, in construction of which it is provided acooling means of the flame inhibiting aerosol which is made from amaterial, that together with the flow of the flame inhibiting aerosoleduces additional gas flows of flame inhibiting agents, adding to theflow of aerosol additional and specific flame inhibiting properties.

This and other objects are achieved by means of the method ofextinguishing a fire providing, substantially, the following consecutivestages: (a) introducing into the center of barring the flow of a flameinhibiting aerosol concentration of which exceeds the concentrationsufficient for interruption of chain reactions of the flame, thatresults in liquidation of the flame with continuation of smoldering ofproducts of burning in the center of burning; (b) introducing into thecenter of burning and/or to an element contacting with the center ofburning of a cooling agent having endothermic properties, that resultsin decreasing of the temperature in the center of burning to the levellower than the temperature of resuming of flame chain reactions in thecenter of burning; (c) maintenance in the center of burning thetemperature level lower than the temperature of resuming of flame chainreactions in the center of burning by means of introducing into thecenter of burning of additional portions of cooling agent, introductionof additional portions of cooling agent is being continued until themoment, when own maximal temperature of the center of burning willbecome lower than the temperature of resuming of burning reactions inproducts of burning, that results in liquidation of smoldering ofproducts of burning and in extinguishing the fire as a whole.

In result of introducing into the center of burning of the flameinhibiting aerosol, flame burning of gaseous products educing atdestruction of the burning material is ceased. As result of this thethermal flow directed from the zone of flame gas reactions to thesurface of the burning focus is liquidated. It results first of all indecreasing of the temperature in the center of burning and, asconsequence of it, to sharp decreasing in intensity of formation of thegaseous products of reaction. It means, that the intensity of theconvective flows escaping from the burning surface of the center ofburning essentially decreases, and access of the cooling agent to thissurface is facilitated. In other words, it is prevented carrying away ofthe cooling agent by the convective flows of gaseous products ofburning, that creates preconditions for maintenance of its directcontact with the surface of burning and its more complete use. After theflame will be put out by the flame inhibiting aerosol the center ofburning remains to be of high temperature sufficient for spontaneousuncontrollable ignition of gaseous products of burning. Thus it isnecessary to remember, that in spite of the aerosol has interrupted thechain reactions of burning of the gaseous products, it has not renderedessential influence on the reactions proceeding in the condensed phasein the center of burning. In other words, the fire in the condensedphase of the center of burning proceeds in form of smoldering. Thecooling agent is introduced in order to reduce the temperature in thecenter of burning to the level lower than the temperature of spontaneousignition of the gaseous products of burning. With decreasing of thetemperature, probability of resumed spontaneous ignition of the gaseousproducts of burning decreases. However the temperature in the focus ofburning is sufficiently high for maintenance of the burning reactions inthe condensed phase in form of smoldering. For guaranteed extinguishingthe fire, additional portions of the cooling agent are introduced intothe center of burning. Thus introduction of the additional portions ofthe cooling agent is performed to the moment, when own maximaltemperature of the center of burning will become lower than thetemperature of renewal of burning reactions in the products of burning,that results in liquidation of smoldering of the products of burning andin extinguishing the fire as a whole.

It would be expedient to perform introduction of the cooling agent intothe center of burning after liquidation of the flame in the center ofburning and before the concentration of the flame inhibiting aerosolwill become equal to the level which is lower than the level ofconcentration of renewal of the flame chain reactions in the center offire. Otherwise decreasing of the aerosol concentration below thespecified concentration level can result in spontaneous resumed ignitionof the gaseous products and, as a consequence of it, introduction of thecooling agent would be characterized by the above mentioned drawbacks.

If extinguishing a fire is carried out in open space, introduction ofthe flow of cooled flame inhibiting aerosol into the center of burningis performed with a speed exceeding the speed of the convective gasflows, exhausted from the products of burning formed in the center ofburning. It is caused by that, penetration of the flame inhibitingaerosol into the zone of gaseous-flame reactions and creation there ofthe flame inhibiting concentration sufficient for interruption of thechain reactions of burning, is complicated by the convective flowsdeviating the flow of the flame inhibiting aerosol Introduction of theaerosol flow with a speed exceeding the speed of convective flows fromthe products of burning formed in the center of burning, allows toovercome resistance of the convective flows and thus to solve thisproblem.

It is not less expedient, that the contour of cross section of the flowof cooled flame inhibiting aerosol in the plane of the center of burningwould cover the contour of the center of burning in said plane. Itallows to-create on all section of the convective flow, coming from thecenter of burning, concentration of the flame inhibiting aerosolsufficient for interruption of the chain reactions of the flame in thecenter of burning.

It would be reasonable to use a fire suppressing liquid, for examplewater, as the cooling agent. Water is the most available and cheapcooling agent. It has rather nigh heat capacity and high degree of heatabsorption at phase transitions, i.e. at melting or evaporation.

It is also possible to use as the fire suppressing liquid a solution ofwater with, at least, one surfactant selected from the group comprisingsulfonates, sulfonoles, sulforicinates, wetting agents on basis ofalkylfenoles. All said additives are surfactants having ability tocreate foams. Besides the cooling action, water has ability to isolatethe center of burning from access of oxygen of air. All these agents areinterchangeable and can be used both separately and in combination witheach other.

Using of water solution of, at least, one salt of metals of the first orthe second groups of the periodic system of elements as a firesuppressing liquid would also be effective. Application of salts of saidmetals on the one hand reduces the freezing temperature of water, thatis valuable in itself at application of this method of fire suppressingin winter conditions or in conditions of far north, on the other handthey add to the cooling agent additional endothermic effect caused bydehydration and decomposition of said salts.

It would be not less effective to use as a cooling agent of a firesuppressing powder. It is caused by number of advantages in itsoperational properties. The powder does not evaporate, does not freezeover, it is easy to transport and storage. In comparison with water andits solutions various flame inhibiting powders have ability ofcomprehensive influence the center of burning. Besides the utilizationof heat due to endothermic effect of decomposition, the products ofpowders decomposition have specific fire suppressive properties. Forexample, in case of using as the fire suppressing powder of the powderof carbonates and/or base carbonates of metals the for the second groupsof the periodic system of elements, the carbon dioxide formed in resultof thermal decomposition provides own fire suppression effect consistingin that, it reduces concentration of oxygen in the center of burning dueto its diluting; It is also possible to use for the same purposephosphates of ammonium or metals of the first and the second groups ofthe periodic system of elements. These agents at the thermaldecomposition forms on the surface of burning an isolating film ofpolyphosphates preventing access of oxygen of air to the burningsurface.

Both chlorides and sulfates of metals of the first and the second groupsof the periodic system of elements at the thermal decomposition formcompounds, inhibiting specific forms of burning reactions, inparticular, those reactions which accompany oxidation of hydrocarbons.

Our tests have shown, that the highest effect is achieved, when as thecooling agent it is used a fire suppressing environment comprising afire suppressing powder atomized in the flame inhibiting aerosol. It iscaused by that, dispersion of the fire suppressing powder in aerosolallows to distribute it more evenly on the surface of burning or onelements contacting with the center of burning. Besides, the flameinhibiting aerosol passivates the gaseous products of burningadditionally reducing probability of their resumed self-ignition, thatis a positive effect.

Similarly, it is possible to use as a cooling agent a fire suppressingenvironment comprising a fire suppressing liquid fine atomized in theflame inhibiting aerosol. It allows on the one hand to increasepenetrating ability of the cooling agent into the center of burning, andon the other hand to increase heat removal from the center of burningdue to more effective evaporation of the liquid caused by highlydispersed structure of the cooling agent. Thus it is necessary toemphasize, that the above mentioned powders and the above mentionedliquids are suitable for use as fire suppressing powders and firesuppressing liquids for dispersion in the flame inhibiting aerosol.

It would be expedient to obtain the flame inhibiting aerosol by burningof aerosol-forming composition containing combustible binder, comprisinga cellulose nitrate plasticizated by hard volatile plasticizer, selectedfrom the group of: triacetin, mix of nitroesters of diethylene glycoland triethylene glycol; an oxidizer on the basis of nitrates of metalsof the first group of the periodic system; and a modifier of burningcomprising technical carbon with highly-developed surface. Thus it couldbe obtained a flame inhibiting aerosol with firm particles, with size oforder of one micrometer and less. To receive an aerosol with such firmand fine particles by mechanical or other way is practically impossible.Application of nitrocellulose gives a number of advantages, first ofall, rather high mechanical stability of the aerosol forming charge,than, it creates an opportunity of continuous technological process ofmanufacturing of the aerosol forming charges of a various configuration,and the polymeric basis—nitrocellulose—has in comparison with otherpolymers ability of more complete gasification in the process ofburning. The presence of the modifier of burning allows to avoidsplattering of melted nitrates of metals of the first group of theperiodic system in the process of burning of the aerosol forming charge.Besides the presence of the modifier of burning allows on the one handto stabilize process of burning at low pressure, and on the other handto control speed of burning in sufficiently wide range.

In process of burning of the aerosol forming composition it is liberatedkinetic energy in form of the pressure of gases sufficient fortransportation (supplying and introduction) of the fire suppressingpowder or the fire suppressing liquid into the center of burning. Inother words, there is no necessity to create additional, constantlyworking sources of pressure and accompanying equipment, this is anadditional advantage of the present invention.

It is expediently before the introduction into the center of burning tocool the flow of the flame inhibiting aerosol by its contact with acooling means for the flow of the flame inhibiting aerosol. The cooledaerosol is less dangerous from the point of view of thermal damage ofthe environment (i.e. people, materials, constructions etc.), forexample, in case of false start of the fire suppression system. Besides,having less density in comparison with not cooled aerosol the cooledaerosol is capable to more evenly fill the protected volume withoutseparation into layers on height, that facilitates faster interruptionof chain reactions of the flame in the center of burning.

The above described method is embodied, substantially, by the fireextinguishing system presented below.

Said system comprises substantially: (a) a generator for introducinginto the center of burning of the flame inhibiting aerosol concentrationof which exceeds the concentration sufficient for interruption of theflame chain reaction, that results in liquidation of the flame withremaining smoldering of products of burning in the center of burning;(b) a means for introducing into the center of burning and/or to anelement contacting to the center of burning of the cooling agent havingendothermic properties and lowering the temperature in the center ofburning up to the level lower than the temperature of resuming of theflame chain reactions in the center of burning; (c) at least one secondmeans for introducing into the center of burning of additional portionsof the cooling agent for maintenance in the center of burning thetemperature level lower than the temperature of resuming of chainreactions of the flame in the center of burning up to the moment, whenown maximal temperature of the center of burning will become lower thanthe temperature of resuming of reactions of burning in the products ofburning, that results in liquidation of smoldering of the products ofburning and in extinguishing the fire as a whole; (d) a first Initiatingmeans installed in said generator for actuating the generator forintroducing into the center of burning of the flame inhibiting aerosol;(e) a second initiating means installed in the first means for actuatingsaid first means for introducing the cooling agent into the center ofburning; (f) a third initiating means installed in said second means foractuating the second means for introducing additional portions of thecooling agent into the center of burning; (g) a means for programmedconsecutive starting of the first initiating means, the secondinitiating means and the third initiating means; (h) a first controlline connecting the output of the means for programmed consecutivestarting to the input of the first initiating means and intended fortransmitting starting command signals from the means for programmedconsecutive starting to the first initiating means; (i) a second controlline connecting the output of the means for programmed consecutivestarting to the input of the second initiating means and intended fortransmitting starting command signals from the means for programmedconsecutive starting to the second initiating means delayed in time fromthe staring command signals coming to the first initiating means; (j) athird control line connecting the output of the means for programmedconsecutive starting to the input of the third initiating means andintended for transmitting starting command signals from the means forprogrammed consecutive staring to the third initiating means delayed intime from the starting command signals coming to the second initiatingmeans.

The above described fire extinguishing system allows to carry out inpractice the tactics of extinguishing the fires embodied in the claimedmethod. First of all the fires of complex categories, when the fire isaccompanied by flame burning in the gas phase and Blameless burning inthe condensed phase in form of smoldering of firm combustible materials.

The above described fire extinguishing system can be in additionsupplied with a means for detection in the center of burning of fireindications, said means for detection of fire indications is connectedto the means for the programmed consecutive starting by a fourth controlline intended for transmitting staring command signals from the outputof the means for detection in the center of burning of fire indicationsto the input of the means for programmed consecutive starting. In thiscase the means for detection of fire indications in said center ofburning can be performed as one of the devices selected from the groupof: a fuse, a thermal sensor, a spectral sensor and a smoke sensor,depending on the analyzed indication of the fire.

It is expedient, that the means for programmed consecutive staring wouldcomprise a control desk controlled by an operator or operatingautomatically.

It is possible an embodiment providing in the fire extinguishing systemthe first control line, the second control line and the third controlline formed, correspondingly, by a first fuse, a second fuse and a thirdfuse of same type, connecting, correspondingly, the output of said meansfor programmed consecutive starting with, correspondingly, the input ofthe first initiating means, the input of the second initiating means andthe input of the third initiating means, thus length of the first fuseis less than length of the second fuse and less than length of the thirdfuse, and length of the second fuse is less than length of the thirdfuse. Use of the fuses allows to design a completely independent systemfor detection of ignition in protected object, transmitting controlsignals of the initiating means of said system and staring of firesuppressing means comprised in it. It is especially favorable in thecase, when protected objects are placed on significant distance from themeans of communications and a power supply. The difference in length offuses is caused by the necessity of providing of definite sequence intransmission of command starting signals, in order to providepredetermined tactics of fire extinguishing.

To increase reliability it is used a duplicating starting systemcomprising a fourth fuse connecting the first initiating means, thesecond initiating means and the third initiating means starting themeans of fire suppression comprised in the present system.

The above mentioned objects can be achieved with help of a fireextinguishing generator comprising substantially: (a) a case; CD) acavity formed in the case; (c) a first face wall of the case. (d) asecond face wall of the case; (e) a lateral wall of the case connectedby its first end face and its second end face with, correspondingly, thefirst face wall and the second face wall; (f) the central partitionformed in the cavity of the case and fixed on the edges on the caselateral wall; (g) a first chamber formed from the side of the first facewall and delimited by the central partition, the first face wall and thelateral wall of the case; (h) a second chamber formed on the side of thesecond face wall and delimited by the central partition. The second facewall and the lateral wall of the case; (i) a charge of the flameinhibiting aerosol, installed in the first chamber at the first facewall and intended for producing of the flow of the flame inhibitingaerosol; 6) a cooling means the flow of the flame inhibiting aerosolfixed in the first chamber at the central partition and comprising asolid cooling block having a plurality of channels for passage the flowof the flame inhibiting aerosol through it, the solid cooling block ismade from a material containing at least one agent, selected from thegroup of: carbonates, base carbonates, hydrooxides and oxalates ofmetals of the first, the second, the third, the eighth groups of theperiodic system; (k) a first empty cavity formed in the first chamberbetween the charge of the flame inhibiting aerosol and the coolingmeans; () an initiating means for actuating the generator placed in thecharge of the flame inhibiting aerosol and capable to receive startingcommand signals; (m) an additional partition installed in the secondchamber and fixed by the edges on the lateral wall of the case; (n) thesecond empty cavity formed in the second chamber and delimited by thecentral partition, the additional partition and the lateral wall of thecase; (o) a third cavity formed in the second chamber and delimited bythe additional partition. The second face wall and the lateral wall ofsaid case; (p) a charge of fire suppressing agent placed in the thirdcavity, said fire suppressing agent has endothermic properties anddecreases the temperature being introduced into the center of burning orto the element contacting with the center of burning to the level lowerthan the temperature of resuming of flame chain reactions in said centerof burning,; (q) a first set of channels formed in the central partitionand intended for passing of the flow of the flame inhibiting aerosolfrom the first chamber into the second empty cavity; (r) a second set ofchannels formed in the additional partition and intended for passing ofthe flow of the flame inhibiting aerosol from the second empty cavityinto the third cavity filled by the charge of the fire suppressingagent; (s) a third set of channels formed in the second face wall of thecase and intended for passing the fire suppressing agent from thirdcavity filled by the charge of the fire suppressing of agent into thecenter of burning or to the element contacting with the center ofburning.

Improvement of the generator—designed according to the presentinvention—consists in performing by the specified manner the coolingmeans of the flow of the flame inhibiting aerosol. At passage of theflow of the flame inhibiting aerosol—which temperature at this momentcomes to 1000° C.-1200° C.—through the solid cooling block it occursheat transfer from the flow of aerosol to material of the cooling blockThus it is necessary to emphasize, that the process of heat transfer isnot accompanied by any chemical reaction of agents comprised in thestructure of the flow of aerosol and agents which comprised in thestructure of the solid cooling block material. In result of this it ispossible to avoid deactivation of firm particles of the fire suppressingaerosol. Besides, it is possible to preserve concentration of the firmparticles of the aerosol in the flow exhausted from the generator, thatresults in preservation of its fire suppressing activity. Said agentsselected for manufacturing of the solid cooling block—in addition to theendothermic properties—have ability to form gaseous products ofdecomposition preventing concretion of the firm particles of the aerosolon the surface of channels formed in the cooling block, that preventsfiltration of the aerosol and preserves its fire suppressing efficiency.Besides, the above-mentioned type of the fire extinguishing generatorscomprise all positive features peculiar to the generators in which it isused a cooled flow of the flame inhibiting aerosol; namely, ability ofuniform, without separation into layers on height, filling of the fireprotected volume, prevention of thermal decomposition of the firesuppressing agent, its sintering in the case, when fire suppressingpowders are used as the fire suppressing agent, or evaporation, whenthere-are used fire-suppressing liquids, and safety in operation, widearea of their application and other positive features.

It is necessary to specially emphasize that the process of cooling ofaerosol is accompanied by using of its heat to gradual and superficialdecomposition of the solid cooling block, in result of which there isoccurring educing of additional gaseous fire suppressing agents addingto the flow of aerosol further fire suppressing means. For example, atdecomposition of the block made from carbonates or base carbonates ofmetals of the first, the second. The third and the eighth groups of theperiodic system, it is- formed carbon dioxide, and if the block is madefrom oxalates of the same metals, the oxides of carbon including carbondioxide are formed. These gases themselves are active fire suppressingagents.

Said gaseous products educed from the solid cooling block strengthentransporting function of the flow of the flame inhibiting aerosol.

In order to manufacture the solid cooling block in a predeterminedexterior form and in order to form the internal channels of the block ina predetermined configuration, at least one polymeric binding from theclass of plasticized derivatives of cellulose is added into the blockmaterial.

It is expediently to use a fire suppressing liquid as the firesuppressing agent, for example, water or water solution of at least onesurfactant selected from the group, consisting from sulfonates,sulfonoles, sulforicinates, wetting agents based on alkilfenoles.

It is possible an embodiment, when a water solution of at least one saltof metals of the first or the second groups of the periodic system ofelements is used as the fire suppressing liquid.

All these flame inhibiting liquids possess all the positive features ofthe flame inhibiting liquids described at considerations of the methodof extinguishing a fire according to the present invention

It is not less expediently to use as a fire suppressing agent the firesuppressing powder, for example, a powder of at least one agent selectedfrom the group of carbonates and/or base carbonates of the metals of thefirst or the second groups of the periodic system of elements,phosphates of ammonia or metals of the first and the second groups ofthe periodic system of elements, chlorides and sulfates of metals of thefirst and the second groups of the periodic system of elements.

All these flame inhibiting powders possess also all the positivefeatures of the flame inhibiting powders described at considerations ofthe method of extinguishing a fire according to the present invention

It is possible an embodiment of manufacturing of the fire extinguishinggenerator, in which between the additional partition and the charge ofthe fire suppressing agent it is installed a first membrane penetrablefor said flame inhibiting aerosol at its passage from the second emptycavity into said third cavity filled with the charge of the firesuppressing agent The installation of such membrane ensures preventingof entry of the fire suppressing agent into the second empty cavitywhich is necessary for exhausting the cooled flame inhibiting aerosoland creation of secondary superfluous pressure for displacement of thefire sup pressing agent from the generator according to the presentinvention

It is also possible an embodiment of manufacturing of the generator, atwhich between the second face wall of the case and the charge of thefire suppressing agent it is installed a second membrane penetrable forsaid flame inhibiting aerosol at its passage from said third cavityfilled with the charge of fire suppressing agent into-the center ofburning or to the element connected to the center of burning. It isnecessary for prevention of spilling in case of using of the firesuppressing powder, or for prevention of seeping, if it is used the firesuppressing liquid. In other words both the first and the secondmembranes are used for compact storage of the fire suppressing of agentin the generator.

It is reasonable to use in construction of such generator of a means forsaturation of the fire suppressing agent by said flame inhibitingaerosol. For example, said means can be formed as a pipeline, first endof which is fixed on the additional partition, and its second end isfixed on the second face wall of the case, thus the internal cavity ofthe pipeline is connected with the second empty cavity by means of anaperture made in the additional partition, and with the third cavityfilled with the charge of fire suppressing of agent, by means of a setof apertures made in the wall of the pipeline.

Saturation of the fire suppressing agent by the flame inhibiting aerosolcreates a condition for more uniform displacement of the firesuppressing agent from the generator, i.e. for more uniform filling ofthe protected volume by the fire suppressing agent Even in the eventwhen the powder was compacted during storage, said means loosens it atoperation of the generator.

It is possible to use the above described fire extinguishing generatoras the above-stated means for feeding of the cooling agent into thecenter of burning or to an element contacting with the center ofburning. In other words, it is expedient to use this generator in theabove described fire extinguishing system embodying the method ofextinguishing a fire according to the present inventions Though it isnecessary to emphasize, that it can be used as a means for firesuppression operating independently.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 represents a schematic view in the perspective of the fireextinguishing system embodying the method of extinguishing a fireaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 2 represents an embodiment of the fire extinguishing generator withthe fire suppressing powder used as the fire suppressing agent, carriedout according to the present invention, in axial section;

FIG. 3 represents an embodiment of performance of the fire extinguishinggenerator with the fire suppressing liquid used as the fire suppressingagent, carried out according to the present invention, in axial section;

FIG. 4 represents the increased view of unit IV, shown on FIG. 3, inaxial section.

BEST METHOD OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 presents a schematic diagram of the fire extinguishing systemcarried out according to the present invention, realizing the claimedmethod of extinguishing a fire and containing, substantially, a firstgenerator 1 for introducing into the center of burning the flameinhibiting aerosol interrupting flame chain reaction. Besides, saidsystem contains a means 2 for introducing the cooling agent into thecenter of burning and/or to the element contacting with the center ofburning. The system comprises also a second means 3 for introducing intothe center of burning of additional portions of the cooling agent Afirst initiating means 4 is installed in the generator I for actuatingthe generator I for introducing into the center of burning the flameinhibiting aerosol. The first means 2 for introducing the cooling agentinto the center of burning and/or to the element contacting with thecenter of burning, contains a second initiating means 5 for actuatingsaid first means 2 for introducing the cooling agent into the center ofburning. A third initiating means 6 is provided in the system foractuating the second means 3 for introducing into the center of burningof additional portions of cooling agent which is installed in saidsecond means 3. The fire extinguishing system provides a means 7 for theprogrammed consecutive starting of the first initiating means 4, thesecond initiating means 5 and the third initiating means 6, it alsocontains a first control line 8 connecting the output 9 of the means forprogrammed consecutive starting to the input 10 of the first initiatingmeans 4 and intended for transmission from the means 7 for programmedconsecutive starting to the first initiating means 4 of staring commandsignals, a second control line 11 connecting the output 9 of the means 7for programmed consecutive staring to the input 12 of the secondinitiating means 5 and intended for transmitting from means 7 forprogrammed consecutive staring to the second initiating means 5 ofstarting command signals delayed on time in comparison with the startingcommand signals coming to the first initiating means 4, and a thirdcontrol line 13 connecting the output 9 of the means 7 for programmedconsecutive starting with the input 14 of the third initiating means 6and intended for transmitting from the means 7 for programed consecutivestarting to the third initiating means 6 of starting command signalsdelayed on time in comparison with the starting command signals comingto the second initiating-means 5. The fire extinguishing system, inaddition, is provided with a means 15 for detection of fire indications,thus the output 16 of said means 15 is connected to the input 17 of themeans 7 for programmed consecutive staring by a fourth control line 18intended for transmitting of the starting command signals from theoutput 16 means 15 to the input 17 of the means 7 for programmedconsecutive starting. The means 15 for detection of fire indications insaid fire extinguishing system can be carried out as one of devicesselected from the group of: a fuse, a thermal sensor, a spectral sensorand a smoke sensor. In the specified embodiment of the system said-means15 and control line 18 are carried out as a single fuse.

The means 7 for the programmed consecutive starting comprises a controldesk operating automatically. In case of application of other types ofmeans for detection of fire indications, there are also applied othertypes of control lines, and the means for the programmed consecutivestarting can also work automatically or can be supervised by anoperator. In the given embodiment of the fire extinguishing system thefirst control line 8, the second control line 11 and the third linecontrol line 13 are formed, accordingly, by the first fuse, the secondfuse and the third fuse of the same type connecting, accordingly, theoutput 9 of said means 7 for the programmed consecutive starting with,accordingly, the input 10 of the first initiating means 4, the input 12of the second initiating means 5 and the input 14 of the thirdinitiating means 6, thus the length of the first fuse is less than thelength of the second fuse and less than the length of the third fuse,and length of the second fuse is less than length of the third fuse.

In order to increase reliability the given fire extinguishing system isprovided with a duplicating starting system 19 carried out as a fourthfuse, connecting the first initiating means 4, the second initiatingmeans S and the third initiating means 6, starting the fireextinguishing means and included into the present system.

FIG. 2 represents the fire extinguishing generator which is used as themeans 2 for introducing of the cooling agent into the center of the fireor to the element contacting with said center of burning. This fireextinguishing generator contains, substantially, a case 21, having aninternal cavity 22, formed in the case 21. The generator has a firstface wall 23 of the case 21, a second face wall 24 of the case 21 and alateral wall 25 of the case 21. The lateral wall 25 is connected by itsfirst end face 25 a and its second end face 25 b with, accordingly, thefirst face wall 23 and the second face wall 24. Construction of thegiven generator provides a pressure ring 26 pressing the second facewall 24 to a recess executed in a lateral wall 25 of the case 21.Besides, the construction of the generator provides a central partition27, executed in the cavity 22 of the case 21 and fixed on the edges onthe lateral wall 25 of the case 21 by means of an intermediary element28. Due to the central partition 27 it is formed a first chamber 29,delimited by the first face wall 23, the central partition 27 and thelateral wall 25 of the case 21, and a second chamber 30 formed at theside of the second face wall 24 and delimited by the central partition27, the second face wall 24 and the lateral wall 25 of the case 21. Inthe first chamber 29 at the first face wall 23 of the case 21 it isinstalled a charge 31 of the flame inhibiting aerosol, intended forproducing a flow A (FIG. 1) of the flame inhibiting aerosol. Besides, itis provided a means 32 for cooling the flow of the flame inhibitingaerosol, fixed in the first chamber 29 at the central partition 27. Saidmeans 32 for cooling the flow of the flame inhibiting aerosol comprisesa solid cooling block 32 a having a set of channels (not shown on thedrawings) for passage of the flow of the flame inhibiting aerosolthrough it. The solid cooling block 32 a is made from a materialcomprising a composition of a base potassium carbonate n Mg(O)₂·m MgCO₃and a polymeric binding, comprising a binding from the class ofplasticized derivatives of cellulose, namely, in the given embodiment itis applied nitrocellulose, plasticized by glycerinthriacetate. In thefirst chamber 29, between the charge 31 of the flame inhibiting aerosoland the means 32 for cooling, it is formed an empty cavity 33. In thecharge 31 of the flame inhibiting aerosol it is installed an initiatingmeans 34 for actuating the generator adapted to receiving of statingcommand signals from the means 7 for programmed consecutive starting.Said initiating means 34 is shown on FIG. 1, which describes the fireextinguishing system, which is designated by position 5. In the givenembodiment the initiating means 34 is carried out as an inflammableblock 34 a of cylindrical form made from an aerosol forming composition,similar to the composition of the charge 31 of the flame inhibitingaerosol. An active element of the initiating means 34 is the block 34 a.In the second chamber 30 an additional partition 35 is installed, whichis fixed by the edges on the lateral wall 25 of the case 21, thus saidintermediary element 28 presses the additional partition 35 to therecess formed on the lateral wall 25 of the case 21. In the secondchamber 30 it is formed a second empty cavity 36, delimited by thecentral partition 27, the additional partition 35 and the lateral wall25 of the case 21. Besides in the second chamber 30 it is formed a thirdcavity 37, delimited by an additional partition 35, the second face wallby 24 and the lateral wall 25 of the case 21. In the third cavity 37 itis placed the charge 38 of the fire suppressing agent having endothermicproperties and lowering temperature at its introducing into the centerof burning or to the element contacting with the center of burning, upto the level lower than the temperature of resuming of chain reactionsof the flame in said center of burning. In the given embodiment it isexpedient to use a fire suppressing powder as the fire suppressingagent, namely diammonium phosphate. It is provided in the centralpartition 27 a first set of channels 39, intended for passing the flowof the flame inhibiting aerosol from the first chamber 29 in the secondempty cavity 36. It is provided in the additional partition 35 a secondset of channels 40, intended for passing the flow of the flameinhibiting aerosol from the second empty cavity 36 into the third cavity37, filled by a charge 38 of the fire suppressing agent Besides, it isprovided a third set of channels 41, executed in the second face wall 24of the case 21 and intended for passing of the flow of the firesuppressing agent from the third cavity 37, filled by the charge 38 ofthe fire suppressing agent into the center of burning or to the elementcontacting with the center of bunting. The charge 31 of the flameinhibiting aerosol comprises a composition containing combustiblebinding of nitrocellulose plasticized by a hard volatile plasticizer,namely, by glycerintriacetate, an oxidizer on base of potassium nitrateand a burning modifier of technical carbon with highly developedsurface. Construction of this generator provides a means 42 forsaturation of the fire suppressing agent by a flame inhibiting aerosol.Said means is executed as a pipeline 43, the first end 43 a of which isfixed on the additional partition 35, and its second end 43 b is fixedon the second face wall 24 of the case 21. The internal cavity 44 of thepipeline 43 is connected with the second empty cavity 36 by means of anaperture 45, provided in the additional partition 35, and with the thirdcavity 37, filled by the fire suppressing agent, by means of a set ofapertures 46, executed in the wall 47 of the pipelines 43. Between theadditional partition 35 and the charge 38 of the fire suppressing agentit is installed the first membrane 48 penetrable for said flow of theflame inhibiting aerosol at its passage from the second empty cavity 36into said third cavity 37. Besides, between the second face wall 24 ofthe case 21 and the charge 38 of the fire suppressing agent it isprovided a second membrane, penetrable for said flow of the flameinhibiting aerosol at its passage from said third cavity 37 filled witha charge 38, into the center of burning or to an element connected tothe center of burning.

Besides, in the considered fire extinguishing system shown on FIG. 1, itis provided a means 3 for introducing of additional portions of coolingagent executed as the fire extinguishing generator shown on FIG. 3 andFIG. 4, and in which a fire suppressing liquid is used as a coolingagent The construction of this generator, as a whole, is similar toconstruction of the generator represented on FIG. 2, and, in order toavoid repeating of the description, the positions of the basicconstructive elements similar for the constructive purpose, having anadditional index “a” are taken from FIG. 2 to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. Inother words, the numbers of positions of similar constructive elementson FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, FIG. 4 coincide. The main differences consist inthat, for the charge 31 a of the flame inhibiting aerosol it is used ablock of aerosol forming composition containing nitrocelluloseplasticized by a mix of nitroesters of diethylene glycol and triethyleneglycol as a combustible binding, it is applied sodium nitrate as anoxidizer and technical carbon with highly developed surface as modifierof burning. Thus the solid cooling block 32 a is executed from amaterial comprising a composition of sodium carbonate Na₂CO₃ andpotassium oxalate Ka₂C₂O₄. Said composition in addition comprises apolymeric binding of nitrocellulose plasticized by glycerintriacetate.The charge 38 a of the fire suppressing agent comprises a firesuppressing liquid, namely a water solution of sodium carbonate. Thegiven construction of the fire extinguishing generator does not containa means for saturation of the fire suppressing agent by the firesuppressing aerosol. However its design provides a manometer 51 formeasurement of superfluous pressure in the cavity 37, filled by the firesuppressing liquid. Besides, the generator is supplied with a means 52for the directed introducing of jet C (FIG. 1) of the fire suppressingliquid into the center of burning, comprising a flexible hose, one end52 a of which is connected by means of a flange connection 53 to thecase 21 of the generator, and its second end 52 b is connected by meansof a flange connection 54 with a spraying header 55.

The fire extinguishing system shown on FIG. 1 and embodying the methodof extinguishing a fire according to the present invention, operates inthe following way. The system was activated at ignition of gasolinestored in open capacities 61 with volume of 2.5 liters, of a stack 62 ofconiferous wood ledges, having section of 30 mm×30 mm and length of 300mm each, stacked in 6 rows of 36 ledges. Besides, as one of the centersof burning it was used a plate 63 of polymethyl methacrylate (organicglass) with size of 250 mm×250 mm ×5 mm. In other words it was organizeda fire with centers of classes A and B, it was simulated in other wordsa fire of complex category. The fire occurred in a room having size of2.5 m×2,7 m×3 m. The centers of the fire were situated as follows: thestack 62 of ledges was placed at the center of the room, plate 63 oforganic glass and capacities 61 with gasoline were placed on comers ofthe room. The generator 1 for introduction of the flame inhibitingaerosol was fixed on one of the walls of the room, at height 2 m and wasso oriented that a flow A of aerosol exhausting from it made with thehorizon a corner, approximately, 45°. Weight of the charge of aerosolforming composition before ignition was 1 kg. The means 2 forintroduction into the center of burning of the cooling agent, and namelyaerosol-powder fire extinguishing generator was fixed on the wall of theroom on adjacent to the generator to 1 side. Weight of the charge 31 ofaerosol forming composition made 200 g., and weight of the charge 38 ofthe fire suppressing powder made 1.5 kg. The means 3 for introducinginto the center of burning of additional portions of the cooling agent,and namely the aerosol-liquid generator, was placed on the floor of theroom, thus its spraying header 55 was oriented in the direction to thecentral zone of the room. Means 15 for detection of fire indications,the lines 8, 11, 13, 18 and 19, executed as fuses, were fixed on thewalls and ceiling of the protected room, and the means 7 for theprogrammed consecutive starting of generators 1, 2 and 3 comprised aunit connecting the ends of the fuses 8, 11, 13 and 18, thus the means 7was placed indoors. The means 15 for detection of fire indications wasfixed on the ceiling of room in its central part in such a manner thatthe free—not fixed—end hanged down directly above the center of the firein the central part of the room. At occurrence of the fire the flamefrom the center of the fire located at the center of the room ignitedthe fuse 15 (means for detection of fire indications) and the front ofburning from the fuse 15 through the fuse 18 was transferred to the unit7. Further in the unit 7 the fuses 8, 11 and 13 were ignited Separatefronts of burning on fuses 8, 11 and 13 were passed to, accordingly,initiating means 4, 5 and 6. Due to difference in length of cords 8, 11and 13 it was achieved delay in start of the generator 2 and 3 inrelation to the moment of start of the generator 1. The difference inthe moments of initiating of generators 1, 2 and 3 made approximately 5s. When the front of burning on the fuse 8 reached the initiating means4 of the generators I its ignition occurred, which initiated ignition ofthe charge of the flame inhibiting aerosol. As a result of burning ofthis charge, the flow A of the flame inhibiting aerosol was formed whichafter exhausting from the generator 1 filled in the protected room. Inresult it was achieved liquidation of flame burning in the centers ofburning, however it is necessary to emphasize, that the burning in theform of smoldering proceeded. Especially it was true for the center ofburning formed by the stack of wooden ledges. In five seconds from themoment of initialization of the generator 1 the front of burning passingthrough the fuse 11 reached the initiating device 5 of the generator 2,that resulted in start of the generator 2. In more detail work of thegenerator 2 extinguishing the fire shown on FIG. 2, is described below.The front of burning on the fuse 11 came to the block 34 a of theinitiating means 34. In result it was ignited the block 34 a, initiatingignition of the charge 31 of the flame inhibiting aerosol. As a resultof burning of the charge 31 in the empty cavity 33 the flow of the flameinhibiting aerosol was formed which passed through the channels of thesolid cooling block 32 and through the channels 39 formed in the centralpartition 27, came to the second empty cavity 36 and through theaperture 45 into the cavity 44 of the pipeline 43. At passage of theflow of the flame inhibiting aerosol through the solid cooling block 32it occurred its intensive cooling. Accumulation of the cooled flameinhibiting aerosol resulted in formation of superfluous pressure in thesecond empty cavity 36 and in the cavity 44 of the pipeline 43. Asresult of it the membrane 48 was destroyed, and the aerosol mixed withthe fire suppressing powder. Together with this, the flow of aerosolpassed through the pluraity of apertures 46, made in the wall 47 of thepipeline 43, from the cavity 44 of the pipeline 43 into the cavity 37with the fire suppressing powder. In the cavity 37 superfluous pressurewas created which action resulted in destruction of the membrane 49 anddisplacement of fire suppressing aerosol-powder environment through thechannels 41, formed in the second face wall 24 of the case 21, to thecenter 62 of burning formed by wooden ledges. As a result of it therewas achieved decrease of the temperature in the center of burping up tothe level lower than the temperature of resuming of flame chainreactions in the center of burning. It led to secured excluding of therepeated flame ignition, however decay of firm products of burningproceeded. In five seconds after the moment of initialization of thegenerator 2 front of burning of the fuse 13 reached the initiatingdevice 6 of the generator 3, shown on FIG. 3. At this moment therestarted processes similar to processes at operation of theaerosol-powder generator 2. Exhaust of the flow of the cooled inhibitingaerosol from the second empty cavity 36 a into the cavity 37 a resultedin creation of superfluous pressure in it, that was measured by themanometer 51. It caused displacement of the fire suppressing liquidthrough the flexible hose 52 and to the spraying header 55 into thesmoldering center of burning. It resulted in decreasing of thetemperature in the center of burning up to the level lower than thetemperature of resuming of reactions of burning, that at the endresulted in liquidation of the fire. The efficiency of the consideredfire suppressing system is proved also by that fact, that the abovedescribed fire was extinguished in approximately 60 seconds from themoment of initialization of the means 15 for detection of fireindications. Examples 2, 3 and 4 of embodiments of the invention aregiven below. The examples describe in brief the basic parameters of thecenters of burning simulating conditions of a fire, type of used meansof detection of fire indications, constructive components of fireextinguishing system and there are given characteristics of efficiencyof the claimed fire suppressive systems. For an expert having an averagelevel of skills in the field of extinguishing fires the below-mentionedinformation and analysis of the above described first example ofembodiment of the present invention are sufficient for creation of fireextinguishing systems carrying out the method according to the presentinvention.

EXAMPLE 2

The fire was simulated with help of the following combination of thecenters of burning: at the center of a square room of volume 20 m³ itwas placed a stack from 36 coniferous wood ledges, in all corners of theroom there were placed open capacities with 2.5 liters of gasoline ineach.

Type of the used means for detection of fire indications—thermal sensor.

Each of control lines comprised a two-wire electrical cable, and themeans for the programmed consecutive starting comprised a multichannelelectrical time relay. The fire extinguishing system: the 1-stgenerator—a generator of the flame inhibiting aerosol, containing anaerosol forming charge comprising the composition containing potassiumnitrate, nitrocellulose plasticized by a mix of nitrates of diethyleneglycol and triethylene glycol, carbon with highly developed surface; the2-nd generator—a generator of aerosol-powder type, in which the chargeof the flame inhibiting aerosol comprised the same composition as thecharge of the flame inhibiting aerosol of the 1-st generator of thepresent Example 2. The solid cooling block was made from aluminumhydroxide, and the charge of the fire suppressing powder from acomposition containing, basically, sodium bicarbonate. The 3-rdgenerator—a, generator of aerosol-liquid type, in which the charge ofthe flame inhibiting aerosol comprised a composition containingpotassium nitrate, nitrocellulose plasticized by glycerin triacetate,carbon with highly developed surface. The solid cooling block wasexecuted of a material containing base magnesium carbonate andnitrocellulose plasticized by glycerin triacetate. The charge of thefire suppressing liquid comprised a water solution of sulfonoles.Extinguishing a fire was performed similarly to the described in thefirst example of embodiment of the present invention. The completeextinguishing of the centers, in other words extinguishing of thesimulated fire, was carried out in 50 seconds.

EXAMPLE 3

The fire was simulated with help of the following combination of thecenters of burning: at the center of a square room of volume 20 m³ astack from 36 coniferous wood ledges was placed, in two opposite comersof the room there were placed open capacities with gasoline of 2.5liters each. In two other opposite comers there were placed plates frompolymethyl methacrylate (organic glass) with sizes of 250 mm×250 mm×5mm. Type of the used means of detection of fire indications - smokesensor. Each of control lines comprised a two-wire electrical cable, andthe means for the programmed consecutive starting comprised themultichannel electrical time relay. The fire extinguishing system: the1-st generator—a generator of the flame inhibiting aerosol, containingan aerosol forming charge comprising the composition containingpotassium nitrate, nitrocellulose plasticized by a mix of glycerintriacetate and carbon with highly developed surface; the 2-ndgenerator—a generator of aerosol-liquid type, in which the charge theflame inhibiting aerosol on the structure same as well as charge theflame inhibiting aerosol comprised the same composition as the charge ofthe flame inhibiting aerosol of the 1-st generator of the presentExample 3. The solid cooling block was executed from a materialcomprising a composition, formed, basically, by base copper carbonateand nitrocellulose plasticized by glycerin triacetate. The charge of thefire suppressing liquid comprised a water solution of sulforicenates.The 3-rd generator—a generator of aerosol-powder type in which thecharge of the flame inhibiting aerosol comprised a compositioncontaining sodium nitrate, nitrocellulose plasticized by a mix ofdiethylene glycol nitrates and triethylene glycol, carbon with highlydeveloped surface. The solid cooling block was made of a materialcontaining iron oxalate and nitrocellulose plasticized by glycerintriacetate. The charge of the fire suppressing powder comprised acomposition containing, basically, potassium sulfate and monoammoniumphosphate. Extinguishing a fire was performed similarly to described inthe first example of embodiment of the present invention. The completeextinguishing of the centers, in other words extinguishing of thesimulated fire, was achieved in 38 seconds.

EXAMPLE 4

The fire was simulated with help of the following combination of thecenters of burning: in the center of a square room of volume 20 m³ itwas placed a stack from 36 coniferous wood ledges, in one of corners ofthe room it was placed an open capacity with gasoline of volume 2.5liters. In three other corners there were placed plates from polymethylmethacrylate (organic glass) with sizes of 250 mm×250 mm×5 mm. Type ofthe used means of detection of fire indications—spectral sensor. Each ofcontrol lines comprised a two-wire electrical cable, and the means forthe programmed consecutive starting comprised the multichannelelectrical time relay. The fire extinguishing system: the 1-stgenerator—a generator of the flame inhibiting aerosol, containing anaerosol forming charge comprising the composition containing potassiumnitrate, nitrocellulose plasticized by a mix of nitrates of diethyleneand triethylene glycol, carbon with highly developed surface, thegenerator on the output was supplied with a device representing,substantially, a Laval's nozzle. Weight of said charge—1.5 kg.; the 2-ndgenerator—a generator of aerosol-liquid type, in which the charge of theflame inhibiting aerosol comprised- a-composition containing,substantially, potassium nitrate, nitrocellulose plasticized by glycerintriacetate, carbon with highly developed surface. The solid coolingblock was executed from a composition containing, substantially, basemagnesium carbonate, nitrocellulose plasticized by glycerin triacetate.The charge of the fire suppressing powder comprised, substantially, apowder potassium chloride. Said generator on the output was suppliedwith a device representing, substantially, a mouth Weight the flameinhibiting charge of said generator—0.2 kg.

The 3-rd generator—a generator of aerosol-liquid type, in which thecharge of the flame inhibiting aerosol was made from the compositionsimilar to the described for the second generator of the presentexample. Weight of this charge was 0.2 kg too. The solid cooling blockwas executed of a material containing aluminum hydroxides. The charge ofthe fire suppressing liquid contained a water solution of alkyl phenols.Extinguishing a fire was performed similarly to the described in thefirst example of embodiment of the present invention. The completeextinguishing of the centers, in other words extinguishing of thesimulated fire, was carried out in 25 seconds.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of extinguishing a fire providing,substantially, the following consecutive stages: introducing into thecenter of burning the flow of flame inhibiting aerosol concentration ofwhich exceeds the concentration sufficient for interruption of chainreactions of the flame, that results in liquidation of the flame withcontinuation of smoldering of products of burning in the center ofburning; (b) introducing into the center of burning and/or to an elementcontacting with the center of burning, a cooling agent havingendothermic properties, that results in decreasing of the temperature inthe center of burning to the level lower than the temperature ofresuming of flame chain reactions in the center of burning; (c)maintenance in the center of burning the temperature level lower thanthe temperature of resuming of flame chain reactions in the center ofburning by means of introduction into the center of burning ofadditional portions of the cooling agent, introduction of additionalportions of the cooling agent is being continued until the moment, whenown maximal temperature of the center of burning will become lower thanthe temperature of resuming of burning reactions in products of burning,that results in liquidation of smoldering of products of burning and inextinguishing the fire as a whole.
 2. A method according to claim 1,wherein introducing of the cooling agent into the center of burning iscarried out after liquidation of the flame in the center of burning andbefore the concentration of the flame inhibiting aerosol will becomeequal to the level lower than the level of concentration of resuming ofthe flame chain reactions in the center of burning.
 3. A methodaccording to claim 1, wherein, if extinguishing a fire is carried out inopen space, introducing of the flow of the cooled flame inhibitingaerosol into the center of burning is carried out with a speed exceedingthe speed of convective gas flows escaping from the products of burningformed in the center of burning.
 4. A method according to claim 1,wherein the contour of cross section of the flow of cooled flameinhibiting aerosol in the plane of the center of burning covers thecontour of the center of burning in said plane.
 5. A method according toclaim 1, wherein a fire suppressing liquid is used as the cooling agent.6. A method according to claim 5, wherein water is used as the firesuppressing liquid.
 7. A method according to claim 5, wherein watersolution of at least one surfactant selected from the group comprisingsulfonates, sulfonoles, sulforicinates, wetting agents on basis ofalkylfenoles is used as the fire suppressing liquid.
 8. A methodaccording to claim 5, wherein water solution of, at least, one salt ofmetals of the first or the second groups of the periodic system ofelements is used as the fire suppressing liquid.
 9. A method accordingto claim 1, wherein a fire suppressing powder is used as the coolingagent.
 10. A method according to claim 9, wherein a powder of carbonatesand/or base carbonates of metals the first or the second groups of theperiodic system of elements is used as the fire suppressing powder. 11.A method according to claim 9, wherein a powder of phosphates ofammonium or metals of the first and the second groups of the periodicsystem of elements is used as the fire suppressing powder.
 12. A methodaccording to claim 9, wherein a powder of chlorides and sulfates ofmetals of the first and the second groups of the periodic system ofelements is used as the fire suppressing powder.
 13. A method accordingto claim 1, wherein a fire suppressing environment comprising a firesuppressing powder atomized in the flame inhibiting aerosol is used as acooling agent.
 14. A method according to claim 13, wherein a powder ofcarbonates and/or base carbonates of metals of the first or the secondgroups of the periodic system of elements is used as the flameinhibiting powder atomized in the flame inhibiting aerosol.
 15. A methodaccording to claim 13, wherein a powder of phosphates of ammonium ormetals of the first and the second groups of the periodic system ofelements is used as the flame suppressing powder atomized in the flameinhibiting aerosol.
 16. A method according to claim 13, wherein a powderof chlorides or sulfates of metals of the first and the second groups ofthe periodic system of elements is used as the flame suppressing powderatomized in the flame inhibiting aerosol.
 17. A method according toclaim 1, wherein a fire suppressing environment comprising a firesuppressing liquid fine atomized in the flame inhibiting aerosol is usedas the cooling agent.
 18. A method according to claim 17, wherein wateris used as fire-suppressing liquid fine atomized in the flame inhibitingaerosol.
 19. A method according to claim 17, wherein a water solutionwith, at least, one surfactant selected from the group group comprisingsulfonates, sulfonoles, sulforicinates, wetting agents on basis ofalkylfenoles is used as the fire suppressing liquid fine atomized in theflame inhibiting aerosol.
 20. A method according to claim 17, wherein awater solution of at least, one of the salts of metals of the first orthe second groups of the periodic system of elements is used as the firesuppressing liquid fine atomized in the flame inhibiting aerosol.
 21. Amethod according to claim 1 wherein the flame inhibiting aerosol isobtained by burning of an aerosol forming composition containingcombustible binding comprising nitrocellulose plasticized by a hardvolatile plasticizer selected from the group of: glycerin triacetate,mix of nitroesters of diethylene glycol and triethylene glycol; oxidizeron the base of nitrates of metals of the first group of the periodicsystem; and modifier of burning comprising technical carbon with highlydeveloped surface.
 22. A method according to claim 1, wherein a flow ofthe flame inhibiting aerosol before its introducing into the center ofburning is cooled by contacting it with a cooling means of the flow ofthe flame inhibiting aerosol.
 23. A fire extinguishing systemcontaining, substantially: a generator for introducing into the centerof burning of the flame inhibiting aerosol concentration of whichexceeds the concentration sufficient for interruption of the flame chainreaction, that results in liquidation of the flame with remainingsmoldering of products of burning in the center of burning; a firstmeans for introducing into the center of burning and/or to an elementcontacting with the center of burning of the cooling agent havingendothermic properties and lowering the temperature in the center ofburning up to the level lower than the temperature of resuming of theflame chain reactions in the center of burning; at least one secondmeans for introducing into the center of burning of additional portionsof the cooling agent for maintenance in the center of burning thetemperature level lower than the temperature of resuming of chainreactions of the flame in the center of burning up to the moment, whenown maximal temperature of the center of burning will become lower thanthe temperature of resuming of reactions of burning in the products ofburning, that results in liquidation of smoldering of the products ofburning and in extinguishing the fire as a whole; a first initiatingmeans for actuating the generator for introducing into the center ofburning of the flame inhibiting aerosol installed in said generator; asecond initiating means for actuating said first means for introducingthe cooling agent into the center of burning installed in the firstmeans; a third initiating means for actuating the second means forintroducing additional portions of the cooling agent into the center ofburning installed in said second means; a means for programmedconsecutive starting of the first initiating means, the secondinitiating means and the third initiating means; a first control lineconnecting the output of the means for programmed consecutive startingto the input of the first initiating means and intended for sittingstarting command signals from the means for programmed consecutivestarting to the first initiating means; a second control line connectingthe output of the means for programmed consecutive starting to the inputof the second initiating means and intended for transmitting startingcommand signals from the means for programmed consecutive starting tothe second initiating means delayed in time from the staring commandsignals coming to the first initiating means; a third control lineconnecting the output of the means for programmed consecutive startingto the input of the third initiating means and intended for transmittingstarting command signals from the means for programmed consecutivestarting to the third initiating means delayed in time from the startingcommand signals coming to the second initiating means.
 24. A systemaccording to claim 23, which in addition is supplied with a means fordetection in the center of burning of fire indications, said means fordetection of fire indications is connected to the means for theprogrammed consecutive staring by the fourth control line intended fortransmitting of staring command signals from the output of the means fordetection in the center of burning of fire indications to the input ofthe means for programmed consecutive starting.
 25. A system according toclaim 24, wherein the means for detection of fire indications in saidcenter of burning can be carried out as one of device selected from thegroup of: fuse, thermal sensor, spectral sensor and smoke sensor,depending on analyzed indication of the fire.
 26. A system according toclaim 23, wherein the means for the programmed consecutive startingcomprises a control desk controlled by an operator or workingautomatically.
 27. A system according to claim 23, wherein the itcontrol line, the second control line and the third control line formedcorrespondingly by a first fuse, a second fuse and a third fuse of sametype connecting, correspondingly, the output of said means forprogrammed consecutive starting with, correspondingly, the input of thefirst initiating means, the input of the second initiating means and theinput of the third initiating means, thus length of the first fuse isless than length of the second fuse and less than length of the thirdfuse, and length of the second fuse is less than length of the thirdfuse.
 28. A system according to claim 27, wherein it is provided aduplicating starting system comprising a fourth fuse connecting thefirst initiating means, the second initiating means and the thirdinitiating means starting the means of fire suppression comprised in thepresent system.
 29. A fire extinguishing generator containing,substantially: (a) a case; (b) a cavity formed in the case; (c) a firstface wall of the case; (d) a second face wall of the case;. (e) alateral wall of the case connected by its first end face and its secondend face with, correspondingly, the first face wall and the second facewall; (f) a central partition formed in the cavity of the case and fixedby it's edges on the case lateral wall; (g) a first chamber formed fromthe side of the first face wall and delimited by the central partition,the first face wall and the lateral wall of the case; (h) a secondchamber formed on the side of the second face wall and delimited by thecentral partition, the second face wall and the lateral wall of thecase; (i) a charge of the flame inhibiting aerosol, installed in thefirst chamber at the first face wall and intended for producing of theflow of the flame inhibiting aerosol; (j) a cooling means for the flowof the flame inhibiting aerosol fixed in the first chamber at thecentral partition and comprising a solid cooling block having aplurality of channels for passage the flow of the flame inhibitingaerosol through it, the solid cooling block is made from a materialcontaining at least one agent, selected from the group of: carbonates,base carbonates, hydrooxides and oxalates of metals of the first, thesecond, the third, the eighth groups of the periodic system; (k) a firstempty cavity formed in the first chamber between the charge of the flameinhibiting aerosol and the cooling means; (l) an initiating means foractuating the generator placed in the charge of the flame inhibitingaerosol and capable to receive starting command signals; (m) anadditional partition installed in the second chamber and fixed by it'sedges on the lateral wall of the case; (n) a second empty cavity formedin the second chamber and delimited by the central partition, theadditional partition and the lateral wall of the case; (o) a thirdcavity formed in the second chamber and delimited by the additionalpartition, the second face wall and the lateral wall of said case; (p) acharge of cooling agent placed in the third cavity, said cooling agenthas endothermic properties and decreases the temperature beingintroduced into the center of burning or to the element contacting withthe center of burning to the level lower than the temperature ofresuming of flame chain reactions in said center of burning; (q) a firstset of channels formed in the central partition and intended for passingof the flow of the flame inhibiting aerosol from the first chamber intothe second empty cavity; (r) a second set of channels formed in theadditional partition and intended for passing of the flow of the flameinhibiting aerosol from the second empty cavity into the third cavityfilled by the charge of the cooling agent; (s) a third set of channelsformed in the second face wall of the case and intended for passing thecooling agent from third cavity filled by the charge of the coolingagent into the center of burning or to the element contacting with thecenter of burning.
 30. A generator according to claim 29, wherein thefirm cooling the block in addition contains, at least one, polymericbinding from the class of plasticized derivatives of cellulose.
 31. Agenerator according to claim 29, wherein the fire suppressing liquid isused as the cooling agent.
 32. A generator according to claim 31,wherein the fire suppressing liquid comprises water.
 33. A generatoraccording to claim 31, wherein fire suppressing liquid comprisessolution of water with, at least, one surfactant selected from the groupconsisting of sulfonates, sulfonoles, sulforicinates, wetting agents onbasis of alkylfenoles.
 34. A generator according to claim 31, whereinfire suppressing liquid comprises a water solution, of at least onesalts of metals the first or the second groups of the periodic system ofelements.
 35. A generator according to claim 29, the wherein firesuppressing a powder is used as the cooling agent.
 36. A generatoraccording to claim 35, wherein the fire suppressing powder contains atleast one agent selected from the group, formed by carbonates and/orbase carbonates of metals of the first or the second groups of theperiodic system of elements, ammonium phosphates or metals of the firstand the second groups of the periodic system of elements, chlorides andsulfates of metals of the first and the second of groups of the periodicsystem of elements.
 37. A generator according to claim 29, whereinbetween the additional partition and the charge of cooling agent it isinstalled a first membrane penetrable for said flame inhibiting aerosolat its passage from the second empty cavity into said third cavityfilled with the charge of cooling agent.
 38. A generator according toclaim 29, wherein between the second face wall of the case and thecharge of the cooling agent it is installed a second membrane penetrablefor said flame inhibiting aerosol at its passage from said third cavityfilled with the charge of cooling agent into the center of burning or tothe element connected to the center of burning.
 39. A generatoraccording to claim 29, wherein it is provided a means for saturation ofthe cooling agent by said flame inhibiting aerosol.
 40. A generatoraccording to claim 39, wherein the means for saturation of the firesuppressing agent by said flame inhibiting aerosol is formed as apipeline, first end of which is fixed on the additional partition, andits second end is fixed on the second face wall of the case, thus theinternal cavity of the pipeline is connected with the second emptycavity by means of an aperture made in the additional partition, andwith the third cavity filled with the charge of the cooling agent, bymeans of a set of apertures made in the wall of the pipeline.